As someone who regularly deals with SQL Server databases, finding an effective tool for SQL database repair can be a lifesaver. I recently had the chance to test Stellar Repair for MS SQL, and here’s my honest, firsthand experience with the software.
Setup and Initial Impressions
Installing Stellar Repair for MS SQL was straightforward. The interface immediately stood out for its simplicity and user-friendly layout. Even without diving into the manual, I was able to navigate through its features effortlessly. The tool offers intuitive options like Browse and Find to locate corrupted database files, which is a huge help in environments with multiple databases.
Testing Details
Environment:
- File Size: Tested on a 150 GB SQL Server database with intentional corruption.
- SQL Version: SQL Server 2017 Standard Edition.
- System Specs:
- Processor: Intel i7-12700K.
- RAM: 32 GB.
- Storage: 1 TB NVMe SSD for quick read/write operations.
Corruption Scenarios:
- Header Corruption: Introduced manually to test MDF repair.
- Index Corruption: Simulated damage in clustered and non-clustered indexes.
- Deleted Records: Deleted several rows from tables to test recovery.
Key Features Tested
1. Repair of Corrupted MDF and NDF Files
The software repaired both primary (MDF) and secondary (NDF) database files with precision. Relationships between tables, foreign keys, and stored procedures were restored seamlessly.
2. Deleted Records Recovery
Using the “Include Deleted Records” option, the tool recovered deleted table records with minimal effort. What’s great is that it saved the recovered data as a new table, ensuring no changes were made to the existing schema.
3. .BAK File Restoration
During testing, I repaired a corrupted SQL backup file (.bak). The software successfully restored tables, triggers, and other database objects, maintaining complete data integrity.
4. Preview Before Save
One feature I really appreciated was the ability to preview repairable items. This allowed me to verify tables, triggers, and stored procedures before saving them, ensuring accuracy in the recovery process.
5. Save Options
The flexibility to save the repaired database to a New Database, a Live Database, or in formats like HTML, CSV, and XLS was a significant advantage. For quick testing, I saved data in CSV format and verified it immediately.
6. Scalability
The tool worked efficiently even with a large database, taking just under 2 hours to complete the repair process for a 150 GB database. Its Parallel Processing feature effectively utilized my system’s multiple cores to speed up the repair.
Real-World Scenarios
- Recovery Pending State:
The tool excelled in restoring a database stuck in a Recovery Pending state, which often requires manual intervention or log file recovery. - Deleted Data Recovery:
This feature is a lifesaver for accidental deletions during audits or testing. - Corrupted Index Repair:
The tool fixed index corruption without affecting query performance, ensuring the database was back to optimal functionality.
Ease of Use
What sets Stellar Repair for MS SQL apart is its simplicity. You don’t need to be a database expert to use it effectively. From selecting the corrupted file to saving the repaired database, every step is straightforward. Even the advanced features like recovering deleted records or fixing indexes are easy to execute.
Performance
For a large database, Stellar Repair for MS SQL handled the repair process impressively. The Advanced Scan Mode was thorough, and despite the size of the database, system resource usage was manageable. However, for databases larger than 200 GB, I’d recommend using a high-RAM machine for smoother performance.
See how the software works
Pros
- Comprehensive repair capabilities for MDF, NDF, and BAK files.
- Ability to recover deleted records without altering schemas.
- Cross-platform support for both Windows and Linux SQL Servers.
- Secure repair using SQL Server and Windows Authentication.
- Flexible saving options, including exporting to CSV or HTML.
Areas for Improvement
- Resource Usage: Advanced scans for very large databases require substantial RAM, which might be a challenge for systems with limited hardware.
- Detailed Repair Logs: While the logs are helpful, more granular insights into the repair process would be beneficial for debugging complex corruption issues.
Final Thoughts
Stellar Repair for MS SQL is a powerful, user-friendly tool that makes SQL database repair hassle-free. Its ability to handle various corruption scenarios, recover deleted records, and repair damaged backups makes it a go-to solution for database administrators. Whether you’re dealing with minor inconsistencies or severe database corruption, this tool provides reliable results with minimal downtime.
